Can you use composite sleepers as an outdoor handrail?

[Rasmus]

I have a couple of large handrails 4400*200*50 made out of wood and each handrail is mounted on three SHS (100x100) steel posts, unfortunately the wood is rotten and they need to be replaced. I was wondering whether it would be a good idea to replace them using four of these products: FITTA 200 x 51 2.4m Composite Sleeper - Charcoal

I'm also wondering how to join them in the best way and whether they'd be likely to warp as they'd be sitting in a sunny spot.

Thank you,

Rasmus

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Rasmus. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about creating a handrail.

You could use them physically, but that's not what they were designed for, so I certainly wouldn't recommend it. They are manufactured to landscaping standards and there might be unforeseen issues using them as a handrail. 

If you are positioning them horizontally and not on their edge as designed, I suspect they will slump in hot sun.

Due the safety regulations surrounding handrails I would not suggest you use them for your project. Instead I'd recommend looking a hardwood handrails.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell